Maxine Dexter
Representative for Oregon · Democratic · United States
“I saw three CT scanners, their only scanners in this hospital, all broken down, an MRI machine also not working, and a handful of working ultrasounds, because parts cannot be imported.”
“I saw three CT scanners, their only scanners in this hospital, all broken down, an MRI machine also not working, and a handful of working ultrasounds, because parts cannot be imported.”
“It is a country that has had a glimpse of prosperity and promise during the Obama administration when relations were normalized and decades of sanctions lifted, only to have Trump reinstate the blockade in 2017. Normalized relations led to an explosion of opportunity for small businesses, international investment, and cultural exchange.”
“It is a country that has had a glimpse of prosperity and promise during the Obama administration when relations were normalized and decades of sanctions lifted, only to have Trump reinstate the blockade in 2017. Normalized relations led to an explosion of opportunity for small businesses, international investment, and cultural exchange.”
“We should be aspiring to that commitment to human health, not punishing an entire population for it. Congress must not continue standing by while our own government intentionally inflicts hardship on an entire nation. The Cuban people deserve dignity, safety, and self-determination.”
“We should be aspiring to that commitment to human health, not punishing an entire population for it. Congress must not continue standing by while our own government intentionally inflicts hardship on an entire nation. The Cuban people deserve dignity, safety, and self-determination.”
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Every one of 17 lines we hold for Maxine Dexter, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account.
“Congress cannot look to this administration to find that. From Havana to Portland, we will stand up, and that means ending this cruel blockade now. I will use every tool at my disposal to make this happen, and I am asking every one of my colleagues to join me. ____________________”
“We should be aspiring to that commitment to human health, not punishing an entire population for it. Congress must not continue standing by while our own government intentionally inflicts hardship on an entire nation. The Cuban people deserve dignity, safety, and self-determination. It is [[Page H4691]] past time for the United States to choose engagement over isolation and humanity over cruelty. I am calling on every Member of this Congress to cosponsor Representative McGovern's legislation to end the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba and move this nation toward normalized relations. As Trump continues to act erratically abroad, Congress must send a clear and unified message: There will be no military action against Cuba. It is time to stand up for the people of Cuba. This is about basic human decency.”
“I saw three CT scanners, their only scanners in this hospital, all broken down, an MRI machine also not working, and a handful of working ultrasounds, because parts cannot be imported. I sat face-to-face with these doctors and understood the deep pain that they are feeling, having the skills and the will to care for people but being denied the opportunity for political reasons. The difference is here in the U.S. we have never had the political will to ensure that every American has access to healthcare. As a physician, I do not know what it is like to care for every patient that comes in my door without worrying whether they can afford it. In Cuba, they have spent decades fulfilling their promise to make healthcare a human right. Every person has access to healthcare for free. Can you imagine? They made it a reality.”
“Families cannot go to the grocery store as they always have done and keep their groceries in a fridge or a freezer because they do not have reliable electricity. Meat, milk, and medicine spoil with the power outages that plague the nation. Basic services have broken down. Daily life is a constant struggle. Cuba's public health system and its medical training programs are the envy of much of the world. Their healthcare system is filled with highly qualified, well-trained physicians, and yet the hospital I toured in Havana was nearly empty. Physicians have no patients because they have no transportation, no buses to get there. They have tens of thousands of people waiting for surgeries because supplies are insufficient and only a fraction of their operating rooms are running.”
“It is a country that has had a glimpse of prosperity and promise during the Obama administration when relations were normalized and decades of sanctions lifted, only to have Trump reinstate the blockade in 2017. Normalized relations led to an explosion of opportunity for small businesses, international investment, and cultural exchange. Hope was contagious. Today, much of that hope has disappeared. Ultimately, it comes down to fuel. Immediately after coming back into office in January of 2025, Trump decisively cut off the ability for any fuel to get into their country--fuel the country depends on to run its electrical power plants, vehicles, and generators. Cuba is not a nation that can produce its own, so without imported fuel, there is no electricity. This has reverberations across every aspect of Cuban life.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4690-H4691] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] STANDING UP FOR CUBA (Ms. Dexter of Oregon was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, the American people need to know that their government is intentionally suffocating the nation of Cuba. There is no other way to describe what is happening. Earlier this month, I traveled to Cuba with a congressional delegation to see firsthand how U.S. policy is affecting this country that is just 90 miles off our shore. This is a country that is known for its joy and for its culture.”
“Congress cannot look to this administration to find that. From Havana to Portland, we will stand up, and that means ending this cruel blockade now. I will use every tool at my disposal to make this happen, and I am asking every one of my colleagues to join me. ____________________”
“We should be aspiring to that commitment to human health, not punishing an entire population for it. Congress must not continue standing by while our own government intentionally inflicts hardship on an entire nation. The Cuban people deserve dignity, safety, and self-determination. It is [[Page H4691]] past time for the United States to choose engagement over isolation and humanity over cruelty. I am calling on every Member of this Congress to cosponsor Representative McGovern's legislation to end the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba and move this nation toward normalized relations. As Trump continues to act erratically abroad, Congress must send a clear and unified message: There will be no military action against Cuba. It is time to stand up for the people of Cuba. This is about basic human decency.”
“I saw three CT scanners, their only scanners in this hospital, all broken down, an MRI machine also not working, and a handful of working ultrasounds, because parts cannot be imported. I sat face-to-face with these doctors and understood the deep pain that they are feeling, having the skills and the will to care for people but being denied the opportunity for political reasons. The difference is here in the U.S. we have never had the political will to ensure that every American has access to healthcare. As a physician, I do not know what it is like to care for every patient that comes in my door without worrying whether they can afford it. In Cuba, they have spent decades fulfilling their promise to make healthcare a human right. Every person has access to healthcare for free. Can you imagine? They made it a reality.”
“Families cannot go to the grocery store as they always have done and keep their groceries in a fridge or a freezer because they do not have reliable electricity. Meat, milk, and medicine spoil with the power outages that plague the nation. Basic services have broken down. Daily life is a constant struggle. Cuba's public health system and its medical training programs are the envy of much of the world. Their healthcare system is filled with highly qualified, well-trained physicians, and yet the hospital I toured in Havana was nearly empty. Physicians have no patients because they have no transportation, no buses to get there. They have tens of thousands of people waiting for surgeries because supplies are insufficient and only a fraction of their operating rooms are running.”
“It is a country that has had a glimpse of prosperity and promise during the Obama administration when relations were normalized and decades of sanctions lifted, only to have Trump reinstate the blockade in 2017. Normalized relations led to an explosion of opportunity for small businesses, international investment, and cultural exchange. Hope was contagious. Today, much of that hope has disappeared. Ultimately, it comes down to fuel. Immediately after coming back into office in January of 2025, Trump decisively cut off the ability for any fuel to get into their country--fuel the country depends on to run its electrical power plants, vehicles, and generators. Cuba is not a nation that can produce its own, so without imported fuel, there is no electricity. This has reverberations across every aspect of Cuban life.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4690-H4691] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] STANDING UP FOR CUBA (Ms. Dexter of Oregon was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, the American people need to know that their government is intentionally suffocating the nation of Cuba. There is no other way to describe what is happening. Earlier this month, I traveled to Cuba with a congressional delegation to see firsthand how U.S. policy is affecting this country that is just 90 miles off our shore. This is a country that is known for its joy and for its culture.”
“Mr. Speaker, due to an emergency department visit, I missed votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 238, H.R. 139; YEA on Roll Call No. 239, motion to recommit H.R. 1181; and NAY on Roll Call 240, H.R. 1181. ____________________”
“It is a distraction--a deliberate one--from the fact that President Trump's agenda is failing to meet the needs of working families. It doesn't lower prescription costs. It doesn't fix our crumbling infrastructure, and it certainly doesn't improve the air our children breathe or the water they drink. At the end of the day, every American deserves the right to breathe clean air. [[Page H1746]] Clean air shouldn't be political. Clean air shouldn't be anything but fundamental. The people of Oregon should know that I see these attacks for what they are. I hear their concerns, and I will not stop fighting to protect them, their children, and their future. I will fight to ensure that science, not politics, guides how we safeguard our communities. Parliamentary Inquiry”
“Make no mistake: That would have immediate impact for our communities, for every family living near a busy highway, every child using an inhaler, and every senior who can't go outside on a high pollution day. This is a direct attack on over 50 years of precedent that recognizes that EPA has the authority and the obligation to allow States to do what is required to protect their residents. I am, frankly, stunned that my Republican colleagues in the House want to undermine States' rights. Repealing these waivers is an illegal expansion of the use of CRAs, which the Government Accountability Office and the Senate Parliamentarian have conclusively determined cannot be used for this purpose. This is government overreach at its most reckless.”
“More than 156 million people in this country live in counties with dangerous levels of ozone and particulate matter, and yet instead of empowering States to raise the bar on clean air, Republicans are telling them to stand down. Let me say this another way. Republicans are telling States they cannot take action to protect their people, their health, and their future. They want to prevent States that are at the forefront from using their authority to cut tailpipe pollution, a move that guts local authority in favor of polluters. We must let our communities lead. Repealing these waivers would undermine stronger vehicle emissions standards that reduce dangerous pollution and are essential to fighting the climate crisis.”
“Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to these resolutions that strip away a State's right to protect its residents from dangerous air pollution. As a pulmonologist, a lung doctor, I have spent my career caring for people struggling to breathe--patients with asthma, COPD, and lung cancer. However, I am also a mother, deeply concerned about the world we are leaving our children. I came to Congress after years of treating the consequences of inaction. I could no longer stand by while politicians ignored the root cause--the pollution poisoning the air we breathe. The truth is, Madam Speaker, our air is making us sick, and we have the power and responsibility to do something about it.”